Kenneth A. Howery has been named as the U.S. Ambassador designate to the Kingdom of Denmark. Howery brings experience from both diplomatic and business sectors, having previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Sweden. During his time in Sweden, he worked on strengthening ties between the United States and Sweden, focusing on defense, security, trade, investment, technology, innovation, and Arctic cooperation.
Howery is known for his background in venture capital and entrepreneurship. He co-founded Founders Fund, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that manages over $15 billion in assets. Before that, he was a co-founder of PayPal and served as its first Chief Financial Officer. At PayPal, he played a role in raising private financing and guiding the company through its initial public offering and eventual sale to eBay.
After serving as ambassador to Sweden, Howery continued working as an angel investor supporting various innovative projects. He also contributed as a founding advisor to Kiva.org, an organization focused on expanding financial access for underserved communities globally. In addition to his business activities, he remains involved in supporting performing and visual arts.
The appointment highlights Howery’s experience in diplomacy and business leadership as well as his work with multidisciplinary teams in international technology sectors. These qualities are expected to contribute to his role as U.S. Ambassador to Denmark.